WalkTalkTimehttps://jackieradford1.wordpress.com
This WordPress.com site is a musing of discussions from walking and talking about anything or nothing...you decide!Wed, 23 May 2018 18:16:10 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s0.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngWalkTalkTimehttps://jackieradford1.wordpress.com
It’s late…https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/its-late/
https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/its-late/#respondFri, 11 May 2018 05:56:02 +0000http://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/its-late/More]]>

It’s late! Sun sinks on the horizon. The breeze blows cool air in place of the warm dust a bit ago. The birds land in small groups. Quiet awe settles in. I’m no stranger to these colors. Don’t they equal peace? Doesn’t tranquility remind me of a waltz? No, it’s quiet resolve is more suited for meditation. The ease, the sway, the pitch the twinkle of light which leads to rest, preparing for a new day. Shhh.

]]>https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/its-late/feed/0jackieradford1Life Outside is what you see, or is it?https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/life-outside-is-what-you-see-or-is-it/
https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/life-outside-is-what-you-see-or-is-it/#respondSun, 22 Apr 2018 03:15:28 +0000http://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/?p=1431More]]>

What do you see? A tree, water, a sailboat, some waves, some white caps. Can you feel the temperature? Or, the wind? Is life outside what we see or is it how we feel? Or, both?

I grew up hearing that things are often not as they appear. What does that mean? Maybe it means there is more of a 3 dimensional aspect to life than we know or allow. Often we block what we do not understand. We do not recognise vocabulary unless we are familiar with the words. If we are not, it is no different from experiencing a foreign language. It means nothing to us. If we are not aware of customs or cultural differences then we also dismiss the actions as trivial or of no value until we are made aware of the meaning behind the actions.

Unless we move outside our comfort zone we will not learn to our full potential. Our growth will be stunted. The wisdom of words from the bible frome Matthew 18:2-4

The little children remain in a state of always learning and growing and sometimes frustrated by the constant changes taking place. Change humbles us. We lack control. Our adult minds want sameness, control, predictability. But, our spirit was meant to fly, to experience, to grow and learn and be frustrated by change. We may do it gracefully and humbleness of heart, or we can be brought to new experiences kicking and screaming. It is my personal experience when I practice a humble heart new experiences do not seem as daunting, but when I go kicking and screaming it may take much time, energy and resources to find a new normal. The “kicking and screaming” route is more of a norm for me. It is my true nature to resist that which will be better for me simply because it is different.

When and if we allow ourselves to trust what we see and feel at the same time we can become like little children. We can fully experience God’s care for us in dimensions we cannot easily describe. What richness, what flavor, what rest we can experience when we lean into his love and care. Like children in the arms of a parent or loved one, we can not only know and see, but feel loved. Our path will be made straight and our air purified and our food made to nourish our body and soul and mind.

Now, I am encouraged by the thought of these words but I hope tomorrow when I get to choir at church, and there are not enough music stands on the front row, I don’t freak out and head to the back row to hide. That is my nature, but most of the time I have friends and guardians that encourage me to be patient and stay engaged. But mostly, I hope I will rest in the knowledge that whether I’m in the front row or back I will be fine and sing my heart out with no care of being comfortable in my skin. For that, I think, is a place of misconception for those like me. Life outside is not always what you see. Or, is it?

Sunsets are like a great end to a book! The beauty of the sunset lives in that we get another if blessed to breathe the next day, and the next, and the next. I remember sunsets. We were blessed to live on a hill growing up and beside another one where the sunsets were the highlight of the day on the other side of the highway. Now, I am blessed to live by a small pond called a lake, and the colors are mirrored from the sky in the water. Purples, deep blues, fire-red in tornado season, and variations of pink are my all time favorite shades.

Sunsets point to completion. We don’t want it to happen but it must. An ending to the beginning. No two are alike…exactly. The clocks are set to it. The children come in for dinner by it. The days plowing comes to an end unless you have bright headlights. The babies give up to sleep and exhaustion creeps toward the blue-collar worker. Dogs bark. Grandparents lock the doors at its end.

Sunsets remind us to reflect. What was lost? What was gained? Were we true to the projects. Did we begin? Did it matter? Are we hungry? Overwhelmed? Peaceful? Hopeful? Who do we miss? Who was there?

Sunsets equate to an exhale for the day. Breathe in like the sunrise and breathe out like the sunset. There can be such wonderful long pauses after the exhale. In meditation it is the space of reflection. So much grace in the sunset, so much emotion, and so much energy released. We can not hoard it or borrow it or replay. If it is taken for granted then it is our own personal loss. I have felt that when working late and inside then to exit to the darkness leaves an emptiness. Those days are sad to me. Too much consumption of personal time. Nothing need ever take up that space of sunset in a day. It is precious.

Sunsets will be there for us whether we care and observe or not. Sunsets answer to no one. Sunsets share with all. Sunsets define the evening sky. They will seem friendly and kind on one continent and bursting with anger on another. What is the mile span of the sunset? Can it be measured? They tempt us and beckon.

Sunsets do not mean the same to everyone. To some it means a darkness begins.

Sunsets were a blessing to me, but I do know it is not that to all. May those who fear be blessed with protection. May the glory and the color and the beauty be understood and not blamed for what they do not do.

Sunset, dusk, sundown, twilight, all synonyms of the same.

Sunset for this day in this place will be 7:42 pm.

Sun…set.

]]>https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/03/20/sunset-dusk-twilight-742pm/feed/0jackieradford1IMG_7427“Words without Knowledge…”https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/03/10/words-without-knowledge/
https://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/2018/03/10/words-without-knowledge/#respondSat, 10 Mar 2018 20:37:26 +0000http://jackieradford1.wordpress.com/?p=1426More]]>Job 38:1-6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone.

Oh my, how I have loved this passage from the first time I read it. What power, what wisdom and understanding of what was needed at this time. I didn’t understand why God was being so forceful here, and still do not come close to being able to dissect it or explain or teach from this, but shine the light on it I will.

How often after learning another layer of information do we regurgitate it and expound upon it to those who will listen. Thinking we are instructing, yet when we stop and examine we see that we are still missing more layers of information. This life is a constant building, changing, evolving, moving piece of energy to an ever-growing puzzle.

“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” I don’t think we always set out to “obscure” his plans, but we do with our “words without knowledge.” I have often heard,

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.”

“The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.”

How can we begin to grasp the depth of wisdom from our creator? We can not. And yet, we keep trying to relate, to connect, to explore, to grasp our ties to deity and spirit. Where is God in all of this? He says to us,

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone.”

I smile when I read this. I want so much of the time to tell youngsters to mind their own business when they question my thinking or my planning or my understanding of others and say where were you when…? And, yet, he shows great compassion to even have the conversation with Job. We were given a great gift in this passage where light shines on our “words without knowledge.”

I for one am so grateful to read these words. We are cared for and given every grace. We are sitting in the presence of the “Almighty.” We walk with, and talk with, and commune all day with our creator whether we know it or not. I am humbled by these words where “the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.”

World English Bible
“For thus says Yahweh, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, and you will drink,”

I love this pic. Evening, water, no leaves except those which hang on until the winds force them to go. It is an in between state of being which we find ourselves in for another cycle. The lake gives promise to a water supply so there is hope, or a promise of thirst being quenched. Like the lights in the distance our minds seek a guiding light, a whisper of direction in the distance leading us closer to a drink. What shall we drink?

Will we drink from scarcity? Will we drink from horror? Will we drink from never being enough, or will we see the blessings of the day? Will we experience being enough when the day goes quickly because we’ve been of service? Will we see our yearning for more sleep is really gratitude for experiences which show us contrast? Will we be thankful for the moments when we were baptised by relationships good and bad, big and little. Those for which we can not take an ounce of credit, yet accept that we for a brief moment allowed others to flow through our lives.

Were we present? In that moment we become the drink to quench the moral thirst. We become life. We live. We too drink, even between spring and fall. During this time may our valley’s fill with that which will allow us to be productive, yet honor spirit within when we do not appear to have any physical manifestation of having been helpful at all.

“but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are”

This place is a fav of mine, from a side I rarely photograph, but it shows a perspective I love. Not the most popular. Not the most advertised. At this moment in time it was a side with light, beauty, glow. We all have that within us. We all possess the light and good. We all have a side not glamorized, but that shows depth and richness of life.

I’m not a bible scholar. I do not know the ancient text, but this verse states that there is a diabolical part to the workings of God, creator, light. I have always been drawn to that other side of life where not many hang out. It is a view that brings me comfort and creates interest in any event. I have spent many an hour and continue to do so where I would not choose if given a choice. Yet, because the other side can be observed I often find myself choosing to change my view and quickly find the not so choice of time and space from which I occupy, a rather warm and toasty place to reside. With a tweak of thought, a twist, a change in perception, a slowing of breath a different side appears.

Which side are you on? Take a step about, or around, or under. Head in the other direction. Look for the light, the beauty, the glow. Look for the things that bring joy and a smile. Look for a different side to be on and then look again. Rest will often come when we allow ourselves to experience another side.

“Dream a little dream of me” was sung by Ella Fitzgerald and The Mama’s and the Papa’s. People perk up when someone says, “I had a dream last night.” It’s interesting, and it is mystical. It is deeply personal. Most dreams are not understood but the value is there whether we understand it or not.

Last night I dreamed but woke up to the memory of moving through a dream but no real logic or pictures were coming to me. Crazy how that happens. My dream journal is filled with the dreams I do remember but I was shocked the one morning I woke up to no clear memory of them. I missed the recall. I was disappointed. They have become a constant, like a friend.

They are usually in threes. One transitioning into another and then into the one I remember when I wake up. I write them down from the last to the first because I seem to remember them better that way. I have many months memories recorded in my journal file. They make me laugh and cry. They tell a story, but they also have an indicator light effect.

The gist of them usually show me where angst abides or where I need to practice forgiveness. Some are playful and I am grateful for those. Many, many are going, doing, and trying to make sense or see a pattern frustrates me. I give up doing that, but I do seem to find peace in that so often they point me to being at peace with being me. If I am prompted to take action after reviewing one then I do. Sometimes that means sitting back and meditating or praying about the situation. Sometimes I call or check on the person I had the dreams about, but mostly I smile and send warm thoughts and healing energy to those images so that the realm of angels that know what is needed will deliver whatever is necessary to those involved including myself.

Each night becomes a canvas upon which to paint the most intriguing landscapes and stories. I often look forward to the stories that will be told during the REM state which I am graciously allowed. Now, if only I can feel that same intrigue about the life I awake to and lay down the judgement or my thoughts surrounding how the day must go. I don’t do that to my dreams. Why would I do that to my waking hours? Why not enjoy the mystery! Okay, so dream a new dream. That may apply to the state we find ourselves in daily as well as while asleep. Many thanks to our dreams whether awake or asleep. To all who read this…Dream a little dream…

Ego may have been involved. I don’t have the knowledge or self-awareness to immediately identify when ego takes hold or attacks. It serves the purpose of defender, or night watchman, Ego seeks safety. It puts up a good front lest people make fun of us, or talk behind our back. It hides behind caution with a spirit of negativity. There is division in its ranks. Ego moves among the masses and is so common that most cannot recognize it. Families split up over it. Communities shut down as churches divide and all in its wake have to recover from the chaos it creates. It is a low resonating energy. The more it is used the bigger it gets like a low burning ember within reach of dry brush.

So where from here? All things new boost the ego from new hair cut, new house, new car, new clothes, new flower garden, new bikes, new gifts, new cellphones, new electronics, new partners, new spouses to new career. Can a boost be okay? I think so. When it lifts our spirits and is used for good. There will always be the ever so slightly indicative thought that will reveal its true motive for self or self-less behavior. It is up to each individual to notice the reason behind actions and goals. Sometimes the boost is needed and restorative. Sometimes it can be life changing like pixie dust. We can all create and spread love like pixie dust.

One ticket… really? Says it all. Funny, but we all have many layers too. I gave students a paper discussing and instructing the topic of emotions . All boys, mind you. Many asked if they could write “IDK” for an answer. They were good-natured about it but not-self aware. Most were missing knowledge of some layers, but then aren’t we all.

The psychology behind this thought is peeling back the layers like an onion. Strip away one layer to find another layer waiting to be explored and peeled back. It is a process. It is life. There is no end just an exploration of the layers, but we can’t explore or stay on the path of discovery if our answers are continuously “IDK.” That stalls the process. We have to go a direction for there to be contrast. This movement in any direction gives us information upon which to base our next move. So, when in doubt … make a decision and see where that takes you. Then another, then another, then another. Keep moving, keep going, keep seeing contrast and living through it and making the next best decision. Ask, What’s my next best step? It will give you information so you can know what to do next. Keep going. No “IDK” here.

This picture I took at the lake where I walk reminded me of this verse. The lake ebbs and flows with abundance and lack of water from season to season. The water level again is down but it will rally. There is hope. This is life for all of us. We arrive with nothing to offer but cries and demands and we often exit the same way. Some go peacefully, so go kicking and screaming, but we all…go. Just like the water, and the leaves, we will bear fruit for a season or perhaps many seasons. There is not a human alive who does not produce which is part of the ultimate plan. What will our focus be? Shall we focus on the measurement of productivity or the delight in the process?

I look at the picture and somehow find it remarkable that even when the land is bare there is a faint and distant nudge toward the thought that somehow, someway the water will one day again flow. The crops will be abundant. The children will all be fed. The parched will thirst no more. And to that horizon we look in awe of abundance we all may access. May all who thirst drink deep of life and know the God of Israel will not forsake us.